Honda Pilot vs Hyundai Venue

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was classified as a crossover SUV, though its design leaned more towards a tall hatchback. It featured only front-wheel drive and had a ground clearance of 6.7 inches, which was higher than a typical car but not as tall as most crossover SUVs. The EPA classified it as a midsize car due to its interior space. The Venue's design was compact and narrow, with a rather upright windshield and SUV-like cues such as a bluff nose and standard roof rails. The high nose was complemented by lower headlights and high-set daytime running lights, while black wheel flares and a two-tone roof added to its SUV aesthetic. Inside, the Venue offered a simple and functional look, with a digital instrument cluster and a small touchscreen that resembled an iPad on the dash.

The 2026 Honda Pilot underwent a makeover, adopting a more truck-like appearance with a larger, blockier grille and gray plastic scuff plates. Standard roof rails and a rear bumper with a similar scuff plate added to its rugged design. The interior saw upgrades with larger infotainment and digital instrument panels, and top trims featured unique diamond quilting on the seats. Contrasting stitching and a new trim element on the center console and door panels added visual flair. Despite these changes, the Pilot maintained its reputation as a tastefully designed midsize SUV, excelling in practicality and material quality.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue was powered by a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 121 horsepower and 113 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. The Venue's acceleration was modest, with a 0-60 mph time ranging from 8.5 to 8.8 seconds. Weighing just 2,738 pounds, it felt peppy in city traffic but struggled at highway speeds. The CVT's stepped gear ratios felt slurred, and heavy throttle caused engine droning due to limited sound deadening. Handling was aided by its small size and low weight, though the 6.7 inches of ground clearance led to some lean in corners.

The 2026 Honda Pilot retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 285 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard on the Sport and EX-L trims, with all-wheel drive available. The Pilot's acceleration was more than adequate, with confident V6 sound and responsive handling. The brake pedal effort was soft, suitable for a family SUV, though occasional subtle downshifts were noted. Honda revised the steering for improved feedback and stability, enhancing the driving experience without making it sporty.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue's interior featured cloth and H-Tex seats with black upholstery and white contrast stitching. The six-way manual adjustments allowed for a comfortable driving position, though legroom was limited for taller individuals. The rear seat offered just enough space for average-sized adults, but taller passengers would struggle for legroom. The rear seats folded flat in a 60/40 split, providing 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space, which was modest compared to other compact crossovers. The Venue's interior was dominated by hard black plastic, with limited soft-touch surfaces.

The 2026 Honda Pilot's cabin remained spacious and versatile, with a removable second-row center seat that could be stowed under the cargo floor. The outboard seats offered ample legroom and comfort, though the lack of a center armrest was noted. Access to the third row was easy, with adequate space for smaller adults. The Pilot offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expandable to 112.4 cubic feet with both rows folded. The front seats provided ample storage, with a long tray, generously-sized cupholders, and a giant center armrest bin.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue came with an 8-inch touchscreen for basic infotainment features, including phone, radio, media, and phone-projection connections. It lacked navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM satellite radio, but offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The audio system was a simple six-speaker unit, with no premium option available.

The 2026 Honda Pilot upgraded to a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument panel. The system featured customizable shortcuts and ran on the latest Honda software. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, though a wireless phone charger was only available on the EX-L trim. Unique features like multiple camera angles and the Cabin Talk intercom system were carried over.

The 2026 Hyundai Venue offered a good set of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver-attention monitor. However, it lacked adaptive cruise control. The Venue received a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with mixed ratings from the IIHS.

The 2026 Honda Pilot came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Pilot's safety features worked well, though the forward collision warning was slightly sensitive. The 2025 Pilot received high safety scores, and similar ratings were expected for 2026.